Reports say boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is heading back to the ring in April 2018.
In an interview with Philippine TV network ABS-CBN, Pacquiao said his camp is negotiating for a 2018 comeback, and he would have a better idea about his future fights come January.
According to the Philippine Star, sources close to the 38-year-old boxer said he is planning to fight again in a few months, although there is nothing definite yet when it comes to the opponent and the final date.
The source added that Pacquiao hopes to get a tune-up fight in April as a sort of preparation for a bigger fight, hopefully with Irish mixed martial arts fighter and boxer Conor McGregor. This may go down in November, most probably in China.
The Filipino boxer stirred social media in November, after he greeted McGregor a happy Thanksgiving via his Instagram account, a random move from the former eight-division world champion. In the post, he told McGregor to "Stay fit my friend."
The boxer, who is also a senator in the Philippines, is said to have been frequently visiting China in recent months. Rumor has it that he has been meeting with potential backers for his upcoming fight.
Former rival Floyd Mayweather Jr. was also recently in the East Asian country, but Pacquiao said that was just a coincidence.
Pacquiao last hit the ring in July earlier this year in Australia, where he fought and lost the WBO welterweight title to Jeff Horn. Initially, there was a rematch scheduled for last November, but it was canceled reportedly due to a conflict in Pacquiao's schedule.
Talking to Boxing Scene, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said Pacquiao is having a tough time juggling his full-time job as senator and career as a boxer.
"Pacquiao is obviously, again, a full-time senator and he wants to fight -- but he wants to continue as a full-time senator and it's very difficult for him to find the time to train and spar," Arum said.
